A novel treatment approach for Parkinson's disease, centered on individualized brain functional segmentation technology, has been introduced at Zhaoqing CP.CS Rehabilitation Hospital, marking the first application of its kind in South China's Guangdong Province.
The development was highlighted during a Parkinson's disease treatment summit held at the hospital on March 22. The forum brought together leading experts in Parkinson's disease from across the Pearl River Delta region to discuss the latest international advances, standardized use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and integrated rehabilitation strategies.
At the core of the new treatment is personalized brain functional segmentation (pBFS), a technology that uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map a patient's brain into more than 200 functional subdivisions. This personalized brain circuit atlas enables clinicians to precisely target cortical areas responsible for motor control, speech, and other functions, allowing for highly accurate TMS interventions.
According to hospital officials, the facility participated in the research phase of the pBFS technology and is the first medical institution in South China to incorporate it into clinical practice. As of December 2025, the hospital had applied the therapy to 30 patients, with preliminary results described as satisfactory.
Dr. Zhuo Junqi, a neuromodulation scientist at Galaxy Brain Scientific's Department of Research and Medicine, explained that pBFS supports a non-invasive treatment approach. Early clinical findings suggest it may help slow functional decline in patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, enabling individuals to regain some independence in daily life and alleviating associated psychological distress.
"Over the past two decades, the number of patients with Parkinson's disease has grown rapidly, driven by increasing life expectancy and a wider range of contributing factors," said Dr. Zhang Yuhu, director of the neurology department at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. He noted that early results from targeted treatment using pBFS have been encouraging, adding that broader clinical studies would be valuable.
Dr. Gao Qingchun, medical director of Zhaoqing CP.CS Rehabilitation Hospital stated that the institution began collaborating with Liu Hesheng's team at Changping Laboratory in Beijing in 2023. Since the adoption of pBFS, the technology has been applied to patients with Parkinson's, cognitive impairment, hemiplegia, and aphasia, with the most extensive clinical experience in Parkinson's disease. "Patients have seen meaningful improvements in their ability to care for themselves and in their quality of life," Gao said. The hospital plans to deepen its partnership with Changping Laboratory in Beijing to expand access to the therapy.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photo | Nanfang Plus
